The Earl Scruggs Center

The Earl Scruggs Center • The Earl Scruggs Center: Music & Stories from the American South celebrates the tradition and innovation of this renowned banjo player. His development of a unique 3-finger playing style continues to influence music around the world. Drawing on the region’s rich history and music the Scruggs Center will enlighten, educate and celebrate the people, traditions and values of Cleveland County and the region and honor native son and music legend Earl Scruggs. .

It is with heavy hearts we share the loss of Earl Scruggs who passed away March 28, 2012. He will be missed and we will honor his legacy. The family has asked that donations go to the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum in Nashville or The Earl Scruggs Center in Shelby, North Carolina. Your tax deductible gift helps celebrate the life and legacy of Earl Scruggs and the Music & Stories from the American South. Contributions may be made payable to Destination Cleveland County and mailed to: Destination Cleveland County, The Earl Scruggs Center, P.O. Box 2063, Shelby, NC 28151. Donations can also be made with Visa or MasterCard by calling The Earl Scruggs Center office at 704.487.6233. Please note: If your contribution is in memory of Earl Scruggs and you would like a record of your gift sent to the Scruggs family please state that with your payment and we will send a gift notification to them.

The Earl Scruggs Center, former home of the old Cleveland County Courthouse, will open to the public in the fall of 2012 and celebrate the rich cultural history and heritage of Cleveland County, reflective of the American South, through the lens of the life of Cleveland County native Earl Scruggs. It will also explore the tradition and innovation of this world renowned banjo player. The Earl Scruggs Center is located at 103 South Lafayette Street on the historic court square in Shelby, North Carolina

Destination Cleveland County, is a non-profit organization of passionate citizens with a goal of revitalizing our community by making it a dynamic destination for heritage tourists. Our mission is to unite our county’s history, heritage, culture and arts to create a vibrant economy while embracing the future and preserving the past. The authentic charm and heritage of this area reflect community pride and provide a dynamic destination for visitors. DCC’s two projects, The Don Gibson Theatre & The Earl Scruggs Center have been hailed as fundamental catalyst projects for the region.

"Neil Portnow, president and CEO of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences said in a statement the four-time Grammy winner and lifetime achievement award recipient "leaves an indelible legacy that will be remembered for generations to come."

"Some nights he had the stars of North Carolina shooting from his fingertips. Before him, no one had ever played the banjo like he did. After him, everyone played the banjo like he did, or at least tried. In 1945, when he first stood on the stage at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville and played banjo the way no one had ever heard before, the audience responded with shouts, whoops, and ovations. He performed tunes he wrote as well as songs they knew, with clarity and speed like no one could imagine, except him. When the singer came to the end of a phrase, he filled the theatre with sparkling runs of notes that became a signature for all bluegrass music since. He wore a suit and Stetson hat, and when he played he smiled at the audience like what he was doing was effortless. There aren’t many earthquakes in Tennessee, but that night there was." READ MORE

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